There’s nothing quite like pouring a cold beer and enjoying the color, aroma and taste. When you’ve had a long day, beer can be a welcome friend. The labor and skill that goes into crafting a delicious beer can be shared by anyone. Homebrewing beer is a fun and rewarding hobby that we recommend to […]

There’s nothing quite like pouring a cold beer and enjoying the color, aroma and taste. When you’ve had a long day, beer can be a welcome friend. The labor and skill that goes into crafting a delicious beer can be shared by anyone. Homebrewing beer is a fun and rewarding hobby that we recommend to any beer lover. If you’re interested in homebrewing, you’ll certainly benefit from these helpful tips.
Sanitation is the most vital aspect of brewing beer at home. Homebrew retailers will sell products that properly sanitize your equipment. Don’t underestimate the importance of keeping all aspects of your homebrew operation clean. A compromised set of equipment can make a mixture of the finest ingredients taste like vinegar.
Use only the freshest ingredients. You wouldn’t make a salad from under-ripened tomatoes and wilted lettuce. Your beer is no different. Bite into your malt and make sure there’s a crunch. Check the date on your yeast. Make sure your hops were properly refrigerated. This goes for all of your ingredients. Remember that you only get out of your beer what you put into it.
When it comes to water, the same rules apply. Fresh spring water is best. Often, new home brewers will use tap water or ‘city water.’ The chlorine in tap water can ruin the flavor of your brew. The other big mistake is using distilled water. Without the mineral content that distillation removes, your yeast will not properly ferment. Don’t avoid the cost of good water. It will pay off in the long run.
Go big. Be sure that your pot is bigger than the amount of water you’ll be boiling. It can be dangerous to have a boil-over when you have so much water on the stove. If your supplies don’t allow for a full boil, you can also do a partial boil of 2-3 gallons at a time.
Finally, take good notes. Keeping track of every aspect of the brewing process can help you to recreate a wonderful brew or to avoid another bad one. Keeping a notebook of ideas and steps taken can help you become a homebrew master! Whether you’re located in Omaha or Tampa, brewing at home will keep the friends around and the good times rolling.
About the Author
Bootleggers offers Tampa wine tasting, home brewing products and classes for all levels of homebrew hobbyists. Thurston McKnafferknock, the author of this article, is a freelance writer.
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